CSIR-NIScPR and RIS Partner to Strengthen Science Diplomacy and Innovation Policy

Landmark MoU aims to deepen collaboration in science communication, policy research, traditional knowledge and South-South cooperation.

In a significant step toward strengthening India's global leadership in science diplomacy and innovation policy, the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 6, 2026.

The partnership is designed to enhance collaboration in science, technology and innovation policy through joint research, policy analysis, knowledge exchange, capacity building and science diplomacy initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable development across the Global South.

The agreement signals growing momentum behind India's efforts to position science diplomacy, traditional knowledge systems and technology cooperation as central pillars of international engagement with developing nations.

Strategic Collaboration Focused on Science Diplomacy and Sustainable Development

Under the MoU, CSIR-NIScPR and RIS will jointly work on:

• science and technology policy research

• science communication and outreach

• science diplomacy initiatives

• traditional knowledge systems

• capacity-building programmes

• policy dialogues and workshops

• collaborative publications

• research projects on emerging global challenges

Officials from both institutions described the agreement as a long-term strategic collaboration aimed at leveraging India's scientific expertise and policy capabilities to strengthen cooperation among developing countries.

The initiative is expected to support evidence-based policymaking while enhancing India's role in shaping international conversations around science governance, innovation ecosystems and equitable technology access.

Science Diplomacy Emerging as Key Global Strategy

Speaking at the event, Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General of RIS, highlighted science diplomacy as an increasingly important instrument for addressing complex global challenges.

He noted that scientific collaboration has become critical for building international trust and tackling issues such as:

• climate change

• public health crises

• technological inequality

• sustainable development

• digital transformation

• emerging innovation governance

Prof. Sharma emphasized that countries of the Global South must play a more active role in shaping global scientific and technological governance frameworks rather than remaining passive participants.

He also outlined several RIS-led initiatives aimed at strengthening international scientific engagement, including:

• Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) courses

• iGOT Karmayogi training programmes

• publications under the Forum for Indian Science Diplomacy

• global partnerships through DAKSHIN initiatives

• IBSA Fellowship collaborations

Officials noted that these programmes are intended to promote capacity building, knowledge exchange and South-South cooperation across multiple sectors.

CSIR-NIScPR Highlights India's Scientific and Traditional Knowledge Strengths

Dr. Geeta Vani Rayasam, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, described the MoU as a "collaborative and win-win partnership" focused on advancing scientific cooperation across developing countries.

She highlighted CSIR-NIScPR's growing role in:

• science communication

• policy research

• dissemination of scientific knowledge

• public engagement in science

• traditional knowledge documentation

Dr. Rayasam also underscored the broader contributions of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), one of India's largest scientific research networks.

Among the major achievements highlighted were:

• affordable HIV drug innovations

• validation of traditional medicine systems

• rural technology innovations

• sustainable development research

• operation of 15 open-access scientific journals

The collaboration is expected to combine RIS's policy expertise with CSIR's scientific research ecosystem to strengthen interdisciplinary work in science policy and diplomacy.

South-South Cooperation Takes Centre Stage

Several speakers at the event stressed the growing importance of South-South scientific collaboration in an increasingly fragmented global geopolitical environment.

Dr. S.K. Varshney, Science Consultant at RIS, emphasized that scientific partnerships among developing countries should be built on:

• equality

• sovereignty

• mutual benefit

• demand-driven cooperation

• context-specific innovation solutions

He stated that such cooperation can play a critical role in:

• technology sharing

• strengthening resilient healthcare systems

• reducing scientific dependency

• improving local innovation ecosystems

Dr. Amit Kumar, Assistant Professor at RIS, described the collaboration as a major milestone that integrates RIS's policy capabilities with CSIR's scientific strengths.

He noted that the partnership would be further reinforced through policy roundtables and structured science diplomacy engagements.

India-Africa Cooperation and Global South Engagement

Science diplomacy linked to the Global South emerged as a dominant theme during the discussions.

Dr. Rajan Sudhesh Ratna highlighted RIS's role in strengthening international scientific cooperation through the DAKSHIN initiative, which seeks to deepen collaboration among developing nations.

Dr. Sneha Sinha, Consultant at RIS, noted that earlier collaborations between RIS and CSIR-NIScPR — including workshops and joint research projects — had already established a strong foundation for expanded engagement.

She particularly highlighted the significance of the roundtable on science diplomacy in the Global South, which focused on:

• India-Africa scientific cooperation

• technology transfer

• knowledge sharing

• integrating science diplomacy into development partnerships

The discussions come ahead of the anticipated India-Africa Forum Summit, where science and technology cooperation is expected to feature prominently.

Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous Innovation Highlighted

Traditional knowledge systems and indigenous medicine were also central themes during the event.

Dr. Sarin N. S., Coordinator of the Forum for Indian Traditional Medicine (FITM), emphasized the importance of traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge as foundational elements of South-South cooperation.

He stated that developing countries possess valuable traditional scientific knowledge that can contribute significantly to:

• public health innovation

• biodiversity conservation

• sustainable livelihoods

• affordable healthcare systems

Meanwhile, Dr. Monika Jaggi and Dr. Charu Lata highlighted CSIR-NIScPR's contributions in advancing traditional knowledge research and science diplomacy initiatives through programmes such as SVASTIK.

Officials noted that integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern scientific research could create new opportunities for innovation and sustainable development.

Key Publications Released During the Event

The event also witnessed the release of three major publications focused on science policy, international cooperation and environmental challenges.

The released publications included:

India-Republic of Korea S&T Cooperation: Co-Creating the Future

Authored by:

• Sanjeev K. Varshney

• Amit Kumar

• Sneha Sinha

The publication explores emerging scientific and technological cooperation between India and South Korea.

Proceedings of Workshop on Strengthening India's Semiconductor Ecosystem: Policies, Challenges and Opportunities

Authored by:

• Dr. Shiv Narayan Nishad

• Dr. Vipan Kumar

• Dr. Naresh Kumar

• Dr. Sandhiya Lakshmanan

The document focuses on India's semiconductor ambitions, policy challenges and opportunities in strengthening domestic chip manufacturing capabilities.

Policy Bulletin: The Key Drivers of Particulate Pollution from Road Transportation in Indian States

Authored by:

• Dr. Sandhya Lakshmanan

The bulletin analyses pollution trends linked to road transportation and explores policy measures for improving air quality management.

Expanding India's Influence in Global Scientific Governance

The MoU between CSIR-NIScPR and RIS reflects India's broader push to expand its role in international science diplomacy, innovation policy and technology governance.

As geopolitical competition increasingly intersects with scientific collaboration, experts believe institutions focused on policy research, technology cooperation and knowledge diplomacy will play a growing strategic role.

The partnership is expected to contribute to:

• evidence-based policymaking

• international scientific collaboration

• innovation diplomacy

• sustainable development partnerships

• Global South capacity building

• technology governance frameworks

Observers say the collaboration could help position India as a leading voice advocating for equitable and inclusive scientific cooperation in the developing world.